HUNDREDS of people caught a glimpse of the life of a police officer as a station opened its doors to the public.

More than 350 people booked places on tours of the newly-refurbished Darlington Police Station, with dozens more turning up over the two days.

Groups followed the journey of an arrested person, from being brought into custody, through to being charged or released.

Visitors were given dramatic demonstrations by the Police Support Unit of a violent prisoner being removed from their cell, as well as an insight into the steps taken by crime scene investigators to collect evidence, fingerprinting, and the interview process.

They also met different teams from Durham Police, including traffic patrols, neighbourhood officers, the Special Constabulary, the Alcohol Harm Reduction Unit and Police Cadets, and posed for pictures with the force’s motorcycle unit.

Chief Superintendent Graham Hall, of Darlington police, said the open days proved to be a big success and were well attended by people of all ages.

He said: “The station has been completely refurbished over the last few years and gives better working conditions for staff and the public.

"Events like this give people an insight into the job we do."

County Durham’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Ron Hogg, also attended the event.

He said: “We have fully refurbished the police station for the community as well as our officers. It is a community facility and we want people to come and see what community policing is all about.

“The support we get from the community in Darlington is second to none.”

Comments (5)

I visited the open day today I would like to thank Darlington police for the hospitality it was both informative and interesting. We are all too quick at complaining about the police but they do a good job much respect!

I visited the open day today I would like to thank Darlington police for the hospitality it was both informative and interesting. We are all too quick at complaining about the police but they do a good job much respect!darlolady

Closing as many as 15 cells on a bank holiday weekend seems a bit strange. Wonder how long officers would have been tied up on prisoner transport around the county? No doubt officers would spend longer driving to alternative custody sites and therfore not available for quick deployment. No harm in community cohesion like this but not thought through it seems.

Closing as many as 15 cells on a bank holiday weekend seems a bit strange. Wonder how long officers would have been tied up on prisoner transport around the county? No doubt officers would spend longer driving to alternative custody sites and therfore not available for quick deployment. No harm in community cohesion like this but not thought through it seems.mattyjack2

This is the type of thing they should be doing, and all credit to them for doing it. The police have a tough and thankless job that is hampered by a spineless and biased legal system and these kind of events do help in bringing the public and police together.

I would still like to see a 'Scared Straight' program introduced over here though, but until the legal system develops the courage to lock up offenders I fear it'd have little impact.
Still, it's something to work towards.

This is the type of thing they should be doing, and all credit to them for doing it. The police have a tough and thankless job that is hampered by a spineless and biased legal system and these kind of events do help in bringing the public and police together.
I would still like to see a 'Scared Straight' program introduced over here though, but until the legal system develops the courage to lock up offenders I fear it'd have little impact.
Still, it's something to work towards.JJ2000